Jhulan Goswami, former India fast bowler and current mentor and bowling coach for Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), has expressed her belief that franchise cricket is essential for the future of women’s cricket. Goswami, who is set to join the coaching staff of the Trinbago Knight Riders for the upcoming Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), shared her views on the growing importance of T20 leagues during a recent episode of ESPNcricinfo’s Powerplay podcast.
“It’s a big challenge for women’s cricket,” Goswami stated, referencing the increasing calendar clashes between franchise leagues and bilateral series. “The ICC needs to take care, franchise cricket is the future of women’s cricket. And that’s the growth of women’s cricket globally. You have to give priority to every franchise league otherwise cricket will not grow.”
Goswami, the highest wicket-taker in women’s ODIs, emphasized the importance of providing clear windows for franchise tournaments, arguing that this would help nurture and showcase quality cricketers. She pointed to the success of leagues like the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), The Hundred, and the WPL in producing top-tier talent and expressed concern that overlapping schedules with international series could hinder the development of women’s cricket.
In recent years, the debate over prioritizing club versus country commitments has intensified in women’s cricket. High-profile players such as Australia’s Meg Lanning and India’s Smriti Mandhana have opted out of certain franchise tournaments or international tours to manage their workloads. This issue came to the fore earlier this year when England‘s tour of New Zealand clashed with the latter stages of the WPL, leading players like Heather Knight to choose national duties over franchise commitments.
Looking ahead, the remainder of 2024 promises to be a packed schedule for women’s cricket. The conclusion of The Hundred on August 18 will be followed by the WCPL from August 22 to 30, featuring international stars from around the world. The T20 World Cup in October and the WBBL, which begins shortly after, will add to the busy calendar, posing further challenges for players and administrators in balancing franchise and international obligations.
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